Avoiding eye strain over the holidays

Most people spend more time looking at screens each day than they do sleeping.

Author:
Denise Pritchard

Published:
8:55 AM EST December 19, 2018

Updated:
10:45 AM EST December 20, 2018

With holiday breaks from school just around the corner, kids and adults will likely be spending more time on their smartphones and tables while relaxing at home. Here are tips to help protect your eyes:

Blinking: Make sure to take full blinks when looking at screens. People tend to blink far less often than when looking

Limit screen time before bed: Evidence shows that using screens before bed disrupts the circadian cycle, or sleep-wake cycle, since blue light inhibits release of melatonin, the hormone that makes us sleep

Posture/Screen: Sit upright the looking at screens with eyes looking down at about 45 degrees, adjust the brightness to the lowest level at which you can see clearly, and use a text size large enough to easily read.

Use filters: Screen filters are available for smartphones, tablets and computer screens that will decrease the amount of blue light given off from devices that could reach the retinas